Have No Fear of Public Speaking

Have No Fear of
Public Speaking
By Joe Takash
The ability to success-
According to studies of Ameri- Solid Strategies
can adults, public speaking is
Successful presentation skills extend
the most common human fear
far beyond standing in front of a group
– more common than death. In other
and sharing information. Speaking effec-
fully communicate is a
words, most folks would rather be the per-
tively is about showing a natural enthusi-
key skill to possess. If
son lying in the coffin than the one deliv-
asm and connecting with every group you
the notion of public
ering the eulogy. Something is definitely
encounter.
wrong here!
The following tips are the “little things
speaking – whether in
Speaking and presenting to a group of
that make a big difference” in speaking to
a large or small group
people can be much easier than you think.
a group of people. Incorporate these into
setting – has you
A wise woman (who, incidentally, hap-
your approach with every group you
quaking in your
pens to be the author’s mother) once said,
address – from the conference room to the
“Act confident, and the audience will
podium – and you will elevate your suc-
shoes, adopt these
think that you are confident. When you
cess to a much higher level.
sound strategies to
see that they are confident in you, you will
Smile. A warm and genuine smile has
manage your fears.
become more confident in yourself.”
the power to loosen up any atmosphere.
The ability to successfully communi-
When you smile, you communicate that
cate in public is a key determinant in the
you are happy to be in front of the group
success or failure of many careers, not just
to whom you are speaking. No matter how
those in the speaking industry. Whether
serious the subject matter of your presen-
you’re addressing the boardroom at cor-
tation, a pleasant smile is an outstanding
porate headquarters or answering your
tool for disarming every audience. Keep
boss’s question at a weekly staff meeting,
this in mind from the time you enter the
it’s time for you to get some public speak-
room to the time you leave. You will be
ing experience…and fear nothing.
amazed at the difference a smile makes.
Network beforehand. Prior to your
Let It Go!
presentation, introduce yourself to atten-
The first thing you must realize is that
dees and thank them for coming. Network
“A warm and
you have zero control over the audience’s
with as many people as possible and learn
response, so why worry about it?
about who they are and what they do. If
generous smile
Granted, it’s natural to want the audi-
you already know your audience, for
ence to accept and respect you. But fret-
instance in a staff meeting, take some time
has the power to
ting about this deepest human desire is as
to chat with your colleagues. Remember,
loosen up any
fruitless as worrying about the weather
they are people, just like you. Familiarity
every day. Think about it. What can you
with your listeners will help you to relax
atmosphere.”
really do about the weather? The same
and improve your effectiveness as a
thing you can do about the perception of
speaker.
those around you: absolutely nothing.
Learn and remember names. Effective
Don’t let it bother you.
now, focus more energy on learning
Once you grasp this mindset and drill it
names than you ever have before. Learn-
into your head, a tremendous feeling of
ing names will accomplish a number of
relief and satisfaction will follow. You may
things: It increases your confidence,
also want to consider practicing some relax-
humanizing your audience, and makes
ation exercises for added peace of mind.
others feel great. It’s more personal to say
When you adjust the important part of your
to a group, “Joan, what do you think?” as
approach to public speaking – your attitude
opposed to, “That lady in the red dress
– you can focus on honing your craft.
with the big glasses has a question.”
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When you engage in your pre-speaking
networking, try to develop associations
and hooks that help you remember peo-
ple’s names. For instance, let’s pretend
you meet Ben Edwards, a gentleman who
Talk the
happens to have a blue ballpoint pen
Talk: GET
behind his ear. In your mind, repeat some-
EXPERIENCE!
thing catchy, like “Blue Pen Ben.” Have
We learn the fastest through
fun with it! If you practice this technique,
practice and experience. Nothing
you’ll greatly increase the number of
beats it. Perhaps you are thinking,
names you remember, which will help you
“Well, that sounds great in theory, but
to further relax.
I don’t have the experience.”
Include everyone. Now that you are
Guess what, friend? It’s time to gather
familiar with your audience, try to involve
some. Consider joining Toastmasters or
everyone in your presentation. Communi-
another professional speaking group;
cate that they are all integral parts of the
do your research, though, to make sure
learning process. Make eye contact with
the financial investment is worthwhile.
everyone, and do so with kindfidence: a
Also, volunteer for a committee, speak
combination of confidence, courtesy, and
at your church, participate in the
respect.
school board, coach a team, or teach a
Tune in. Read the body language of
class. Force yourself into situations
every audience. Try to get a feel for what
where you can get repetition before
they want. How do they feel? Are they
groups. Familiarity is the fastest
absorbing your presentation? Ask ques-
way to beat fear and ensure effec-
tions and refer questions to other audience
tive communication with any
members. Again, engage everyone, so that
audience. I
everyone feels significant.
Use your creativity. Everyone is cre-
Joe Takash, a professional
ative. Take some chances and break the
speaker, has delivered more
monotony of the everyday monotone
than 3,000 speaking pro-
approach. Tell personal stories and take
grams throughout the
chances on humor. Make it fun for your
country since 1988. He
most important audience member: You! If
has been the keynote
a joke bombs, so what? If you can’t take
speaker for General
time to laugh at yourself, you leave the job
Motors, Prudential,
up to other people.
3COM, Century 21,
Be yourself. Incorporating these skills
and other corporate
does not entail changing who you are.
giants. Contact him at
There is no substitute for authenticity. If a
(312) 943-6627 or visit
certain approach feels too forced or con-
www.joetakash.com.
trary to your general nature, then consider
a different tactic that fits better with your
character. “What you see is what you get”
is an attitude that everyone appreciates.
Be the best “you” you can be!
May 2004
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